Pleiotropic beneficial cardiometabolic actions of a high-purity eicosapentaenoic acid product in high cardiovascular risk individuals.

The ideal approach to the secondary dyslipidemia goal of lowering triglycerides (TG) is not well established. The available ω-3 fatty acid products differ from each other in composition and content. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) formulation on cardiometabolic biomarkers in high cardiovascular (CV) risk patients. The study included 226 subjects with high TG and ≥1 of the following CV risk factors: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ultrasound-documented atheromatosis, peripheral artery disease, previous myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. Participants received 2 g EPA twice daily for 3 months, along with typical nutritional counseling. Cardiometabolic hematological parameters (TG, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], non-HDL, total cholesterol [TChol], apolipoprotein A1 [Apo A1], apolipoprotein B [Apo B], glucose, glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], and C-reactive protein [CRP]) were measured at baseline and at 3 months. The mean patients' age was 61.1 ± 1.4 years and the mean baseline TG was 2.97 ± 0.15 mmol/L. Apart from Apo A1, all other biomarkers significantly (p < 0.05) improved at 3 months, regardless of sex (except Apo B) and age: TG 1.75 ± 0.09 versus 2.97 ± 0.15 mmol/L, LDL 2.46 ± 0.08 versus 3.05 ± 0.13 mmol/L, HDL 1.22 ± 0.03 versus 1.11 ± 0.03 mmol/L, non-HDL 3.29 ± 0.10 versus 4.14 ± 0.16 mmol/L, TChol 4.55 ± 0.10 versus 5.15 ± 0.13 mmol/L, Apo A1 26.8 ± 9.3 versus 22.5 ± 8.6 µmol/L, Apo B 1.25 ± 0.23 versus 1.29 ± 0.23 µmol/L, glucose 5.66 ± 0.11 versus 5.99 ± 0.17 mmol/L, HbA1c 5.83 ± 0.1 versus 5.97 ± 0.1% and CRP 1.92 ± 0.2 versus 5.26 ± 2.8 mg/L. In conclusion, adding highly purified EPA product (4 g daily) on nutritional counseling leads to a significant TG reduction. In addition, this treatment appears to have pleiotropic beneficial cardiometabolic actions.

Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Newer Antihyperglycemic Agents (SGLT-2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, and DPP-4 Inhibitors).

The prevalence of arterial hypertension is high in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). When DM and hypertension coexist, they constitute a dual cardiovascular threat and should be adequately controlled. Novel antihyperglycemic agents, including sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, have recently been used in the treatment of DM. Beyond their glucose-lowering effects, these drugs have shown beneficial pleiotropic cardiovascular effects, including lowering of arterial blood pressure (BP), as acknowledged in the 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Association for the Study of Diabetes guidelines on diabetes, prediabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available information on the BP-reducing effects of these new glucose-lowering drug classes and provide a brief report on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We also compare the three drug classes (SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs, and DPP-4 inhibitors) in terms of their BP-lowering effect and show that the greater BP reduction seems to be achieved with SGLT-2 inhibitors, whereas DPP-4 inhibitors have probably the mildest antihypertensive effect.

Radial artery as a graft for coronary artery bypass surgery in the era of transradial catheterization.

Radial artery use as a bypass conduit is well established during the past decades, in terms of both patency and safety. On the other hand, transradial catheterization causes a series of structural and functional changes to the vessel itself. Impairment of nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation and notable decrease in radial artery diameter due to intima thickening and hyperplasia, especially during the first 3 months after its cannulation, constitute some of the most important alterations on the radial artery wall and its function after a transradial coronary catheterization procedure. Given the constantly increasing numbers of these transradial catheterization procedures, the authors of this article focus on the current knowledge regarding the potential use of the radial artery as a bypass conduit, after its catheterization, also considering several possible mechanisms on its subsequent structural and functional changes.

Adherence to Treatment, Safety, Tolerance, and Effectiveness of Perindopril/Amlodipine Fixed-Dose Combination in Greek Patients with Hypertension and Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Pan-Hellenic Prospective Observational Study of Daily Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Initiation of antihypertensive therapy with a two-drug fixed-dose combination (FDC) in a single tablet may be recommended in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events to improve adherence and effectiveness. Preferred combinations include an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed adherence to and the safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of the perindopril/amlodipine FDC in Greek patients with hypertension and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) over a 4-month period. METHODS: A total of 1907 patients with hypertension and CAD (59.1% males) who had recently (≤2 weeks) commenced treatment with the perindopril/amlodipine FDC (5/5, 5/10, 10/5, or 10/10 mg) were studied at baseline and at 1 and 4 months. Adherence to treatment was assessed with the Morisky Medication-taking Adherence Scale (MMAS). RESULTS: Seven patients (0.4%) did not attend the scheduled visits. In total, 1607 (84.6%) patients received a constant treatment dose throughout the study. High adherence (MMAS score = 0) was reported by 1592 (83.6%), 1628 (85.7%), and 1477 (77.7%) patients at the second and the third visit and at both visits, respectively. Adverse reactions were reported by only 13 (0.7%) patients, were all minor, and did not result in treatment discontinuation. Office blood pressure (BP) was significantly decreased at the third visit (130.8 ± 8.4/78.2 ± 6.4 mmHg) compared with baseline (156.5 ± 15.0/89.9 ± 9.6 mmHg; p < 0.001), regardless of previous antihypertensive treatment. Patients with grade 1, 2, and 3 hypertension at baseline showed a reduction in BP of 19.3/9.4, 31.5/13.5, and 47.8/22.2 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.001). Uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) was notably reduced from 90.3% at baseline to 18.5% at the third visit. CONCLUSIONS: The perindopril/amlodipine FDC is characterized by high adherence and effectiveness, regardless of previous treatment. Degree of BP reduction was related to baseline BP levels. Clinical trials registration number (Protocol Number): IC4 - 05985 - 011 - GRC.

Arterial hypertension and aortic valve stenosis: Shedding light on a common "liaison".

Arterial hypertension and aortic valve stenosis are common disorders and frequently present as concomitant diseases, especially in elderly patients. The impact of hypertension on heart haemodynamics is substantial, thus affecting the clinical presentation of any coexisting valvulopathy, especially of aortic stenosis. However, the interaction between these 2 entities is not thoroughly discussed in the European or/and American guidelines on the management of hypertension or/and valvular heart disease. The present review summarizes all available evidence on the potential interplay between hypertension and aortic valve stenosis, aiming to help physicians understand the pathophysiology and select the best diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (medical or/and interventional) for better management of these high-risk patients, taking into account the impact on outcome as well as the risk-benefit-ratio.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as an Early Marker of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Elective Invasive Cardiac Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an acute kidney injury (AKI) defined as serum creatinine (sCr) increase 48 to 72 hours after contrast administration. Because most subjects undergoing invasive cardiac procedures are discharged within 24 hours, sCr is unsuitable for CIN detection. HYPOTHESIS: In the present study we tested the hypothesis that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is superior compared with sCr and other established nephropathy markers in early CIN diagnosis after elective invasive cardiac procedures. METHODS: Serum creatinine, urine creatinine, serum cystatin C, urine albumin, urine NGAL (uNGAL), and plasma NGAL were measured at 0, 6, 24, and 48 hours after contrast administration in 100 elective invasive cardiac procedures. Estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were calculated. Changes from baseline were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05 and clinically significant when > the biomarker's reference change value. Participants were divided into those with and without clinically significant uNGAL changes (uNGAL positive and negative for AKI, respectively). RESULTS: Thirty-three individuals were uNGAL positive for AKI. Serum cystatin C changes were statistically and clinically nonsignificant in both groups. Serum creatinine and plasma NGAL were statistically but not clinically elevated 48 hours postcatheterization in the AKI group. Except for contrast volume (higher in AKI group), groups were comparable at baseline (P not significant) regarding cardiovascular risk factors, coronary heart disease, coronary interventions performed, and renal biomarkers. Baseline uNGAL was significantly correlated to estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-to-creatinine ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Urine NGAL is potentially superior compared with conventional nephropathy markers in early CIN diagnosis after elective invasive cardiac procedures. Definition of clinically significant uNGAL changes with reference change value is probably a valuable supplement to statistically defined significant variations.

Twenty-Four-Hour Urine α1 -Microglobulin as a Marker of Hypertension-Induced Renal Impairment and Its Response on Different Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of urine α1 -microglobulin as a marker of hypertension-induced renal damage compared with estimated glomerular filtration rate, (eGFR), urine albumin, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Its response on different blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs was also studied. Sixty never-treated hypertensive patients (65.0% men, 46.9 years, BP 141.4/94.0 mm Hg) were randomized to an irbesartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB]) or a diltiazem (a nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker [CCB])-based regimen. Patients with diabetes or established cardiovascular, renal, or liver disease were excluded. Blood samples and 24-hour urine were analyzed at baseline and 6 months after pharmaceutical BP normalization. Serum creatinine was measured and eGFR was calculated. Urine albumin, creatinine, and α1 -microglobulin were measured and ACR was calculated. Minor changes (P=not significant [NS]) in eGFR were noted during follow-up in both groups (from 111.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 108.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the ARB group and from 111.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 114.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the CCB group). Twenty-four-hour urine indices were all significantly improved (P<.01) in the ARB group (albumin from 19.4 mg/L to 8.2 mg/L, ACR from 21.5 mg/g to 10.0 mg/g, α1 -microglobulin from 5.06 mg/L to 3.64 mg/L) but not (P=NS) in the CCB group (albumin from 15.6 mg/L to 13.9 mg/L, ACR from 17.6 mg/g to 17.1 mg/g, α1 -microglobulin from 4.94 mg/L to 4.79 mg/L). These differences between groups remained significant (P<.05) after adjusting for office heart rate and BP. α1 -Microglobulin was significantly correlated (P<.05) with albumin and ACR both at baseline (r=0.283 and 0.299, respectively) and at the end of follow-up (r=0.432 and 0.465, respectively) but not (P=NS) with eGFR. It was also significantly related (P<.05) to cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham and HeartScore) both at baseline (r=0.264 and 0.436, respectively) and at the end of follow-up (r=0.308 and 0.472, respectively). Urine α1 -microglobulin emerges as a potentially usable marker of hypertension-induced renal impairment. Its excretion rate and its response to treatment appears similar to that of albumin. Irbesartan but not diltiazem seems to be associated with reduced excretion of α1 -microglobulin in urine.

The Tree of Sirtuins and the Garden of Cardiovascular Youth.

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a class of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent proteins which participate in numerous molecular pathways involved in various age-related human diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular (CV) diseases and cancer. They have a major role in apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism regulation, traits that have a great impact on CV physiology and pathology. Their unique profile of NAD+ energy dependency makes them an appealing target for human intervention in cellular and metabolic processes. This review focuses on the recent advances of SIRTs research aiming to shed light on the emerging roles of SIRTs in the pathophysiology of CV and metabolic diseases.

Apelin and Visfatin Plasma Levels in Healthy Individuals With High Normal Blood Pressure.

BACKGROUND: High normal blood pressure (BP; 130-139/85-89 mm Hg) is related with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to normal BP (120-129/80-84 mm Hg) or/and optimal BP (<120/80 mm Hg). Low apelin plasma levels have been associated with arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, while high visfatin plasma levels may promote vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and have been evaluated as a marker for identifying stages of essential hypertension. We sought to compare the apelin and visfatin plasma levels between subjects with high normal BP and subjects with normal or optimal BP matched for age, gender, smoking, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with high normal BP (office BP 136±3/88±2 mm Hg, age 57±4 years, 76% males, 32% smokers, BMI 24.0±1.7 kg/m2) and 35 subjects with normal or optimal BP (office BP 118±2/78±2 mm Hg, age 55±7 years, 63% males, 29% smokers, BMI 23.2±1.4 kg/m2) were studied. The apelin and visfatin plasma levels were determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared to normal or optimal BP subjects, apelin levels were significantly lower (205±108 vs. 325±152 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and visfatin levels significantly higher (11.0±2.0 vs. 7.2±0.9 ng/ml, P = 0.002) in high normal BP subjects. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups (P = NS) regarding the basic clinical characteristics, the glycemic/lipid profile, and the renal function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The emerging, from the present study, data raise the hypothesis that lower apelin and higher visfatin plasma levels in high normal BP subjects compared to normal or optimal BP individuals could partially explain the higher CV risk of the high normal BP group.

Correlation of 24-Hour Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability to Renal Function Parameters in Hypertensive Patients. The Effect of Smoking.

Intrarenal hemodynamics depend on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and smoking. Although BP levels have been associated with kidney function, the effect of HR levels, BP, and HR variability on renal function are less well clarified. This cross-sectional study sought to determine the association of 24-hour BP and HR variability with kidney function in hypertensive patients, stratified by smoking. The study comprised 9600 nondiabetic, never-treated hypertensive individuals without evident renal impairment examined from 1985 to 2014 (aged 53.3±13.4 years, 55.3% males). The 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) and HR variability were estimated via their coefficient of variation (CV =standard deviation×100/mean value) derived from ambulatory recording. The CV SBP-to-CV HR ratio (CV R) was used as a marker of the interplay between 24-hour SBP and HR variability. Renal function was estimated via 24-hour urine creatinine clearance (CrCl), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and 24-hour urine α1 -microglobulin. After adjustment for age, sex, and smoking, CV SBP was found to be weakly correlated to eGFR (r=-0.017, P=.1) and somewhat more strongly to CrCl, ACR, and α1 -microglobulin (r=-0.032, 0.072, and 0.065; P=.002, <.001 and <.001, respectively). CV HR was much better related to renal function, with stronger adjusted correlations to CrCl, eGFR, ACR, and α1 -microglobulin (r=0.185, 0.134, -0.306, -0.247; all P<.001, respectively). CV R also showed equally good adjusted correlations (r=-0.175, -0.125, 0.336, 0.262; all P<.001, respectively). Most adjusted correlations for CV HR and CV R were even better in smokers (r=0.213, 0.158, -0.332, -0.272 and -0.183, -0.118, 0.351, 0.275, respectively; all P<.001). CV HR and CV R emerge as better related to kidney function than CV SBP, especially in smokers. The correlation of CV HR and CV SBP to renal function is inverse to each other. ACR and α1 -microglobulin are better related to variability indices than CrCl and eGFR. However, causal relations cannot be proved.

Genetic Variant in the CYP19A1 Gene Associated with Coronary Artery Disease.

The CYP19A1 gene encodes the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogens. The rs10046 polymorphism of CYP19A1 gene has been investigated in two studies on the occurrence of hypertension, but there are no studies on its correlation with coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated 189 subjects who were hospitalized at "KAT" General Hospital of Athens and underwent coronary angiography. Of these, 123 were found with CAD with an average age of 60 years and constituted the patients group and 66 subjects with an average age of 58 years without damage in the coronary vessels and constituted the control group (healthy). The frequencies of genotypes CC, CT, and TT of rs10046 polymorphism are significantly different between the group of CAD patients and the control group (0.34, 0.48, and 0.18 versus 0.20, 0.48, and 0.32, resp., P = 0.034) as the frequency of C allele (0.58 versus 0.44, resp., OR = 1.771 and P = 0.010). We found similar results for men, but not for women (small sample). The results of this study show that the rs10046 (C/T) polymorphism of CYP19A1 gene exhibits correlation with CAD and that patients with C allele have an increased probability of manifesting the disease.

2013 ESH/ESC guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension: what has changed in daily clinical practice?

This is a review article aiming to make focus on the changes made in the European Society of Hypertension (ESH)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension with some criticism for each element discussed in the text. Given that in the real world clinical practice physicians would hardly spend the time needed for studying the 77 pages manuscript of the recently released 2013 ESH/ESC hypertension guidelines, the present review summarizes all the significant updates (along with their clinical implications) compared to the 2007 ESH/ESC hypertension guidelines and the 2009 reappraisal document.

Impaired glucose homeostasis in non-diabetic Greek hypertensives with diabetes family history. Effect of the obesity status.

Arterial hypertension (AH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are established cardiovascular risk factors. Impaired glucose homeostasis (IGH; impaired fasting glucose or/and impaired glucose tolerance) or pre-diabetes, obesity, and DM family history identify individuals at risk for type 2 DM in whom preventive interventions are necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the glycemic profile in non-diabetic Greek adult hypertensive men and women according to DM family history and the obesity status. Diabetes family history, obesity markers (waist-to-hip ratio, WHR; body mass index, BMI), glycemic parameters (fasting and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose, if necessary; glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c; fasting insulin), insulin resistance indices (homeostasis model assessment, HOMA; quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, QUICKI; Bennett; McAuley), and IGH prevalence were determined in a large cohort of 11,540 Greek hypertensives referred to our institutions. Positive DM family history was associated with elevated fasting glucose (98.6 ± 13.1 vs 96.5 ± 12.3 mg/dL), HbA1c (5.58% ± 0.49% vs 5.50% ± 0.46%), fasting insulin (9.74 ± 4.20 vs 9.21 ± 3.63 µU/mL) and HOMA (2.43 ± 1.19 vs 2.24 ± 1.01) values, lower QUICKI (0.342 ± 0.025 vs 0.345 ± 0.023), Bennett (0.285 ± 0.081 vs 0.292 ± 0.078) and McAuley (6.73 ± 3.43 vs 6.95 ± 3.44) values, and higher IGH prevalence (45.3% vs 38.7%); P < .01 for all comparisons. The difference in the prevalence of IGH according to DM family history was significant (P < .01) in both genders and every WHR and BMI subgroup (except for women with BMI <20 kg/m(2)). Non-diabetic hypertensives with positive DM family history present with higher IGH prevalence and worse glycemic indices levels compared with those with negative family history, especially in the higher WHR/BMI subgroups.

The interplay of exercise heart rate and blood pressure as a predictor of coronary artery disease and arterial hypertension.

Delayed blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) decline at recovery post-exercise are independent predictors of incident coronary artery disease (CAD). Delayed BP recovery and exaggerated BP response to exercise are independent predictors of future arterial hypertension (AH). This study sought to examine whether the combination of two exercise parameters provides additional prognostic value than each variable alone. A total of 830 non-CAD patients (374 normotensive) were followed for new-onset CAD and/or AH for 5 years after diagnostic exercise testing (ET). At the end of follow-up, patients without overt CAD underwent a second ET. Stress imaging modalities and coronary angiography, where appropriate, ruled out CAD. New-onset CAD was detected in 110 participants (13.3%) whereas AH was detected in 41 former normotensives (11.0%). The adjusted (for confounders) relative risk (RR) of CAD in abnormal BP and HR recovery patients was 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.98; P=.011) compared with delayed BP and normal HR recovery patients and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.08-2.75; P=.014) compared with normal BP and delayed HR recovery patients. The adjusted RR of AH in normotensives with abnormal BP recovery and response was 2.18 (95% CI, 1.03-4.72; P=.047) compared with delayed BP recovery and normal BP response patients and 2.48 (95% CI, 1.14-4.97; P=.038) compared with normal BP recovery and exaggerated BP response individuals. In conclusion, the combination of two independent exercise predictors is an even stronger CAD/AH predictor than its components.

The effects of angiotensin receptor blockers vs. calcium channel blockers on the acute exercise-induced inflammatory and thrombotic response.

Arterial hypertension is an established risk factor for acute coronary syndromes, and physical exertion may trigger the onset of such an event. The mechanisms involved include the rupture of a small, inflamed, coronary plaque and the activation of thrombogenic factors. Blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment has been associated with beneficial effects on subclinical inflammation and thrombosis at rest and during exercise. This prospective study sought to compare the effect of different antihypertensive drugs on the inflammatory and thrombotic response during exercise. A total of 60 never-treated hypertensive patients were randomized to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)- or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB)-based regimen. Patients with inflammatory or coronary artery disease were excluded. Six months after pharmaceutical BP normalization, the patients underwent a maximal treadmill exercise testing. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), white blood cells (WBC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total fibrinogen (TF) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels, as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were measured in blood samples taken while the patients were at rest and during peak exercise. All of these biomarkers increased with exercise, except PAI-1, which decreased (P<0.05 for the difference between resting and peak exercise for all biomarkers). The ARB group had less marked (P<0.05) exercise-induced changes than the CCB group in hsCRP (5.8% vs. 7.7%), SAA (4.2% vs. 7.2%), WBC (46.8% vs. 52.6%), TNF-α (16.3% vs. 24.3%), TF (9.5% vs. 16.9%) and PAI-1 (-9.5% vs. -12.3%) but a similar (P=NS) change in IL-6 (39.4% vs. 38.6%) and vWF (29.2% vs. 28.6%). In conclusion, ARBs are most likely more effective than CCBs at suppressing the exercise-induced acute phase response. Potential protection against exercise-related coronary events remains to be elucidated.

Correlation of arm position and exercise test interpretation.

ST-segment changes during exercise testing can be attributed mainly to ischemia, but also, in some patients, to other physiological parameters, such as body position or hyperventilation, making ECG exercise test interpretation more complex. Here we describe the case of a patient who had an electrocardiographically positive exercise test, in order to illustrate the correlation between arm position and ST changes during exercise testing.

The antihypertensive treatment effect on left ventricular diastolic function is reflected in exercise electrocardiogram.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Exercise electrocardiographic hump sign is associated with uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AH), left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, and false-positive exercise testing (ET). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the antihypertensive treatment effect on hump and on pseudoischemic ST-segment depression and potential correlations to LV diastolic function and mass changes. METHODS: The study comprised 59 non-coronary artery disease patients (45.9 years; 67.8% men) with never-treated arterial hypertension (143.2/95.1 mm Hg). Treadmill ET and echocardiography were performed at baseline and 6 months after pharmaceutical blood pressure normalization. Prevalence of hump and ST depression, transmitral (E/A) and tissue Doppler imaging (E'/A') early/late velocities ratios, E/E' ratio, and LV mass index (LVMI) were all defined. RESULTS: Prevalence of hump was reduced from 69.5% to 23.7% and false-positive ETs from 35.6% to 18.6% (P < .05). Significant improvement (P < .05) was found in E'/A' ratio (0.68 vs 0.84), E/E' ratio (9.3 vs 7.9), and LVMI (109.2 vs 99.8 g/m(2)). Changes in hump were related to ST-depression changes (r = 0.632, P < .001) and to LV diastolic indices changes; patients with hump only at first ET (54.2%) improved E/A and E'/A' ratios, whereas patients with hump only at second ET (8.5%) worsened diastolic indices with similar changes in blood pressure and LVMI. CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive treatment reduces the prevalence of hump and exercise ischemic-appearing ST depression probably through LV diastolic function improvement.

The significance of right-sided chest leads in exercise testing for the detection of right ventricular dysfunction post myocardial infarction of the inferior wall.

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of right-sided chest leads (V(3)R-V(5)R) into the standard exercise testing has been reported to improve its diagnostic accuracy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of exercise testing in detecting right ventricular (RV) dysfunction post myocardial infarction (MI) of the inferior wall, using additional V(3)R-V(5)R leads. METHODS: We studied 133 patients (59 ± 5 years, 81 males) with a history of inferior MI due to right coronary artery obstruction (affirmed with coronary angiography). All patients underwent an echocardiographic assessment of RV function 4 weeks after discharge and an exercise treadmill test in order to detect possible RV dysfunction. Recordings during exercise were obtained with the standard 12 leads plus V(3)R-V(5)R. RESULTS: From 133 patients, 97 (group A) presented with normal right ventricle according to the echocardiographic study while the rest 36 patients (group B) presented with RV dysfunction. Maximal exercise-induced ST-segment deviation (in mm) was similar in the standard 12 leads for the 2 groups (2.1 ± 0.4 vs 1.8 ± 0.3, p = NS) while in V(3)R-V(5)R it was greater in group B (0.7 ± 0.3 vs 1.4 ± 0.4, p<0.05). Sensitivity, positive prognostic value, negative prognostic value and accuracy of exercise testing in detecting RV dysfunction were all improved using V(3)R-V(5)R (78 vs 47%, 39 vs 29%, 87 vs 75%, 62 vs 55% respectively, p<0.05 for all) while specificity was not deteriorated (56 vs 58%, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of right-sided chest leads (V(3)R-V(5)R) improves the diagnostic ability of standard exercise testing in detecting and especially in excluding RV dysfunction post inferior MI.

Novel methodology for the detection of exercise-induced myocardial wall motion abnormalities by surface electrocardiogram during exercise test.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether ischemia-induced wall motion abnormalities during exercise test modify electrical vector variation. METHODS: We performed treadmill exercise test and thallium 201 scintigraphy in 150 normotensives. Beat-to-beat change of direction of S wave in V(1) (reference lead) was compared with that of R wave in V(5) and aVF, representative of anterior and inferior walls, respectively. The percentage of neighboring QRS couples where S wave in V(1) and R wave in V(5) or aVF change toward the same direction (increase or decrease) constitutes V1-V5 and V1-aVF indexes. RESULTS: V1-V5 and V1-aVF indexes were significantly decreased in subjects with reversible anterior or inferior ischemia, respectively. A decrease in V1-V5 index ≥0.14 defines those with anterior wall ischemia (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 75.5%), whereas a decrease in V1-aVF index ≥0.05 defines those with inferior wall ischemia (sensitivity, 92.3%; specificity, 61.5%). CONCLUSIONS: These novel electrocardiographic exercise test indexes improved significantly their sensitivities.